Taiwan protesters demand ‘corrupt’ president resign

THOUSANDS of protesters blocked a central Taipei street and displayed candles in the shape of the Chinese character for “fart” yesterday to demand that Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian step down over suspected corruption.

The crowd gathered on the anniversary of a 2006 demonstration against the president that drew about 50,000 people on day one and lasted more than a month. Yesterday’s protesters said matters had worsened.

“The difference between this year and last is that Mr Chen is more of an insult now,” said demonstrator Crystal Hsu, 50, a Taipei schoolteacher. “He’s worse than a fart.”

The protesters blocked a boulevard in front of the president’s office wearing red shirts and illuminated red devil horns while shouting for Mr Chen to resign.

Demonstrators used 30,000 candles to form the character for “fart”, which also means reckless talking.

In November last year, Mr Chen’s wife was indicted for corruption involving suspected misuse of T$14.8 million (€324,000) from a presidential office stateaffairs fund.

Prosecutors have said they will also indict Mr Chen once he has to quit the presidency next May, ending eight years in office and of immunity from charges.

Protest organiser Shih Ming-teh, a 25-year political prisoner and former ruling Democratic Progressive Party chairman, shook Taiwan a year ago with the month of protests against Mr Chen.

“This is an extremely important activity in Taiwan history,” Mr Shih told yesterday’s crowd through a loud hailer. “No one can say the work of Shih Ming-teh’s red shirt army is over.”

Mr Chen has said he would resign if a lower court found his family guilty of corruption.